Night Running

It’s that time of year when we leave for work before sunrise and return home in the dark. It’s not the season for impromptu beach barbecues or a sunny spin round the block. Last weekend’s sunshine passed us by as we were busy finishing off our new kitchen (photos to follow!) So, I’ve been sorely lacking in fresh air and decided I couldn’t let the cold dark wind stop me from getting out. I have to admit that if Tom hadn’t been up for a run too, I’d be very happily still curled up the couch with a large bag of M&Ms (and I don’t care what the bag says – they are not for sharing.)

Our route takes us straight up a hill: a good way to warm up quickly and beat the bitter cold wind. I’m grateful for my many merino layers and wouldn’t go anywhere without ear warmers and woolly mitts. There’s no way to look cool in hi-viz. But it sure does make you feel happier to be running down little country lanes in the dark, dancing in front of the bright lights of cars. Once the cars are gone, the darkness feels like running on the spot in thin air. The long flat stretch of seafront feels just as tough as ever, but the lights on the water and across to the city make a change from the sailboats and strollers of the summer months.

This was my first run in the dark (I am a newbie after all). There’s no denying it’s hard to drag myself off the couch, but it felt great to be outside in the wind, and all the sweeter to get the fire roaring on our return. Just remind me of that when that bag of M&Ms comes calling..

Exploring Belfast

Other than going to a gig and staying in a plush hotel, we didn’t really have any plans for our Belfast stay. I’m always happiest wandering about cities, lingering at local coffee stops and hunting down independent bookshops. It’s lovely to have a weekend without a to do list.

Belfast feels just the right size to be able to get a feel for the place after a morning of ambling. We visited the cathedral (stained glass, and mosaics well worth a peek) and the oldest library in Belfast, complete with wonky wooden stairs and grumpy men peering disdainfully at us from ancient leather armchairs.

This city is full of varied architecture: tall old brick, curved arches, ornate cornices, and square stocky buildings that gave some corners an air of Boston, MA about them.

In our limited flight carry-on allowance, Tom chose running shoes over camera. So we traded in photography for street-pounding, and discovered the botanical gardens. A cold, clear, easy Sunday morning is perfect for a wander round a park, and the place was buzzing with other people who had the same idea.

The palm house was a strange pocket of tropical warmth in the middle of a chilly November day. It felt delicious to have aimless time to wander, smell the damp earthy greeness, look up at these old paned frames and imagine people doing the same almost 200 years ago.

So, thank you The National, for making your only UK weekend gig in a city that I’ve never been to, and giving me the excuse for a weekend of wandering!

Nationally Loud

Bleary eyed, our head full of tunes, we’ve emerged this side of the weekend. The National rocked out, as we knew they would. I could hardly believe it as they played track after track from my ‘It’d be great if they did…’ list: new hits, olden goodies, and even this deep-voiced classic for the GoT fans (well, when you’re only a few miles from where it was filmed, it’d be rude not to, right?)

Devendorf the drummer had effortless, loose, mad skills; the Dessner brothers performed in full guitar-flinging style. Matt Berninger carried the stage the whole time, decorously sipping on his red wine, before throwing it high in the sky in true stroppy rockstar fashion. The crowd was a similar pleasing mix of very polite bearded gents, who still got way too overexcited in the crush of the singer jumping off the stage. All good drama for a Saturday night out..

We filled the rest of our weekend in Belfast with lots of other delightful things, but that’s a post for another day. For now, sit back and enjoy a tune.

Off on a Plane

Tom and I are heading off to Belfast for the weekend to see The National play. At the risk of hyperbole, these guys have got to be my all-time favourite band. They remind me of being plugged in to my headphones after walking through the Pyrenees on honeymoon, and they haven’t been far from my top tracks list ever since.

Beyond the music, I’m looking forward to exploring a new city, ambling around with my man, staying in a luxurious hotel, and doing absolutely no homework. Happy Weekend!

A Windy Day and a Birthday

Windy days like these are perfect for blustery beach walks after filling up on a birthday brunch. My brother was home from London for the weekend, so we took the excuse to get the family together and celebrate his birthday a few days early.

Driving out to the countryside, it felt like late autumn; the strong winds have made a mess of tidy road edges, and the rapidly stripped leaves reveal creaky old oak. Mum welcomed us with hot coffee, while we caught up on our weeks and stuffed our faces with fried potatoes and bacon.

We had bright sun on our beach walk, and the wind was whipping the waves in to a froth. Something about the wind and crashing waves makes me want to run around and twirl. Food, family and blustery walks are the makings of a good Sunday. And chocolate cake helps too..